Interviews

On June 24, 1998, barnesandnoble.com on AOL was pleased to welcome Stan Lee to our Authors series for his regular monthly appearance. The creator of Spider-Man, The Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk, and The X-Men, to name only a few of his brainchildren, Stan Lee is the patriarch of the Marvel dynasty. A discounted selection of works by Stan "the Man" are available at Keyword: bn. 'Nuff said.

Question: Stan, is there anything that the Marvel writers of today have done with the characters you created that you really haven't been too pleased with?

Stan Lee: One character I never knew what to do with: Diablo. I liked his name, and that was it. My one big failure!

Question: Stan, I am an ambitious comic-book drawer, and I was wondering what would I do to get my drawings looked at by a comic-book company?

Stan Lee: Just send 'em to Marvel, care of the Submissions Editor. Good luck!

Question: Mr. Lee, do you feel that the passing of the multiple-cover gimmick era has been good for comics, in that quality, not collector speculation, is once again the most important consideration in the creation of the books?

Stan Lee: Ab-so-lute-ly! Who says I can't be brief?!!!

Question: Hey Stan, do you think another X-Men cartoon is possible?

Stan Lee: Anything's possibleespecially at mixed-up Marvel.

Question: Would it be OK if I sent in some comics to be autographed?

Stan Lee: Surebut not too many at a time.

Question: AOL, how can you schedule one of the greatest Yankees of all time during the Yankee game? [Editor's noteThis portion of the question refers to AOL LIVE guest Yogi Berra, who was chatting directly prior to Stan's chat.] On a positive note, this is the best guest spot I've ever seen for LIVE.

Stan Lee: Thanx, O Great Judge of Literature and Guest Spots!

Question: What was the first comic you ever created, and how old were you at the time?

Stan Lee: I was about 17. I think it was called "Hurricane"a guy who ran fast or somethingor maybe it was "The Destroyer." I never knew anyone would ask years later, so I didn't pay attention!

Question: Stan, if Spider-Man could have one more power, what would it be?

Stan Lee: The power to sell twice as many copies of each issue! Gotcha!

Question: What is your most memorable moment at Marvel?

Stan Lee: That's a tough one. Probably when the sales figures of the Fantastic Four came in and we saw we had a monster hit.

Question: Stan, what are you doing lately?

Stan Lee: Answering all these questions on the Web. And in my spare time, working on movie, TV, and animation projects.

Question: When can we expect the next Marvel movie to come to the big screen?

Stan Lee: The next one will be "Blade"it'll be out real soonstarring Wes Snipes. And it's really great!

Question: Stan, when you created the characters of Spider-Man, The X-Men, etc. in the early '60's, did you think that they'd still be going strong more than 30 years later, as they clearly have done?

Stan Lee: Nah, I didn't have a clue. It's still hard for me to believe, but, y'know somethingI love it!

Question: How is the Marvel Park coming along in Florida?

Stan Lee: Terrific!!! It opens next year. Y'all come, hear?

Question: Do you like Wolverine with or without his adamantium? And why?

Stan Lee: I like him with the adamantium. But hey, what do I know?

Question: Stan, do you have any family members who have followed in your footsteps and work in the comic industry?

Stan Lee: My brother, Larry Lieber, who used to write and draw "The Rawhide Kid" and now pencils the daily Spidey strip in the newspapers.

Question: Stan, will there be anymore made-for-television Marvel movies, or maybe a series?

Stan Lee: I sure hope so.

Question: Stan, did you like Star Wars?

Stan Lee: Loved it. Can't wait for the new ones.

Question: Thought you were great in "Mallrats." Will you work with Kevin Smith again?

Stan Lee: I wish he'd ask me. He was a great guy, a great directorand hey, he made me a star!!!

Question: Some kids a couple years ago were very into Power Rangers. Were you like that as a kid? If not, what made you get into comics and characters that could do incredible things?

Stan Lee: As a kid I was into Tarzan and any Errol Flynn movie, like "Captain Blood." I was lucky to get into comics where I could keep doing wild stuff.

Question: Have you had an opportunity to preview any of the upcoming Marvel/Events comics? If so, what did you think of them?

Recipe

On June 24, 1998, barnesandnoble.com on AOL was pleased to welcome Stan Lee to our Authors series for his regular monthly appearance. The creator of Spider-Man, The Fantastic Four, The Incredible Hulk, and The X-Men, to name only a few of his brainchildren, Stan Lee is the patriarch of the Marvel dynasty. A discounted selection of works by Stan "the Man" are available at Keyword: bn. 'Nuff said.

Question: Stan, is there anything that the Marvel writers of today have done with the characters you created that you really haven't been too pleased with?

Stan Lee: One character I never knew what to do with: Diablo. I liked his name, and that was it. My one big failure!

Question: Stan, I am an ambitious comic-book drawer, and I was wondering what would I do to get my drawings looked at by a comic-book company?

Stan Lee: Just send 'em to Marvel, care of the Submissions Editor. Good luck!

Question: Mr. Lee, do you feel that the passing of the multiple-cover gimmick era has been good for comics, in that quality, not collector speculation, is once again the most important consideration in the creation of the books?

Stan Lee: Ab-so-lute-ly! Who says I can't be brief?!!!

Question: Hey Stan, do you think another X-Men cartoon is possible?

Stan Lee: Anything's possibleespecially at mixed-up Marvel.

Question: Would it be OK if I sent in some comics to be autographed?

Stan Lee: Surebut not too many at a time.

Question: AOL, how can you schedule one of the greatest Yankees of all time during the Yankee game? [Editor's noteThis portion of the question refers to AOL LIVE guest Yogi Berra, who was chatting directly prior to Stan's chat.] On a positive note, this is the best guest spot I've ever seen for LIVE.

Stan Lee: Thanx, O Great Judge of Literature and Guest Spots!

Question: What was the first comic you ever created, and how old were you at the time?

Stan Lee: I was about 17. I think it was called "Hurricane"a guy who ran fast or somethingor maybe it was "The Destroyer." I never knew anyone would ask years later, so I didn't pay attention!

Question: Stan, if Spider-Man could have one more power, what would it be?

Stan Lee: The power to sell twice as many copies of each issue! Gotcha!

Question: What is your most memorable moment at Marvel?

Stan Lee: That's a tough one. Probably when the sales figures of the Fantastic Four came in and we saw we had a monster hit.

Question: Stan, what are you doing lately?

Stan Lee: Answering all these questions on the Web. And in my spare time, working on movie, TV, and animation projects.

Question: When can we expect the next Marvel movie to come to the big screen?

Stan Lee: The next one will be "Blade"it'll be out real soonstarring Wes Snipes. And it's really great!

Question: Stan, when you created the characters of Spider-Man, The X-Men, etc. in the early '60's, did you think that they'd still be going strong more than 30 years later, as they clearly have done?

Stan Lee: Nah, I didn't have a clue. It's still hard for me to believe, but, y'know somethingI love it!

Question: How is the Marvel Park coming along in Florida?

Stan Lee: Terrific!!! It opens next year. Y'all come, hear?

Question: Do you like Wolverine with or without his adamantium? And why?

Stan Lee: I like him with the adamantium. But hey, what do I know?

Question: Stan, do you have any family members who have followed in your footsteps and work in the comic industry?

Stan Lee: My brother, Larry Lieber, who used to write and draw "The Rawhide Kid" and now pencils the daily Spidey strip in the newspapers.

Question: Stan, will there be anymore made-for-television Marvel movies, or maybe a series?

Stan Lee: I sure hope so.

Question: Stan, did you like Star Wars?

Stan Lee: Loved it. Can't wait for the new ones.

Question: Thought you were great in "Mallrats." Will you work with Kevin Smith again?

Stan Lee: I wish he'd ask me. He was a great guy, a great directorand hey, he made me a star!!!

Question: Some kids a couple years ago were very into Power Rangers. Were you like that as a kid? If not, what made you get into comics and characters that could do incredible things?

Stan Lee: As a kid I was into Tarzan and any Errol Flynn movie, like "Captain Blood." I was lucky to get into comics where I could keep doing wild stuff.

Question: Have you had an opportunity to preview any of the upcoming Marvel/Events comics? If so, what did you think of them?

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

This review refers to Ultimate Spider-Man vol. 6 paperback edition: Venom After other Spider-Man villains, finally fans are treated to the coming of Ultimate Venom! My personal favorite out of Spidey's rogue's gallery, Eddie Brock is given a background and origin very different from the main stream character. Also, Spider-Man's black suit origin is much different. No longer is the grand space-opera of the Secret War mentioned. Now it is a life saving experiment gone wrong. Not only does Bendis do a flawless job of presenting Venom, he further complicates Peter and MJ's relationship, and the hints of tension with Gwen grow. My only gripe about Ultimate Spider-Man is a small one, but does EVERYONE know Peter Parker is Spider-Man? Whatever happened to a secret identity being secret, anyway? Yet another character learns Peter's secret in this volume, making me wonder who's next? Bendis's scripting is very good, and I think this is Bagley's best art yet. This volume reprints Ultimate Spider-Man #33-39, and can be enjoyed by all ages, by newcomers and established fans. Highly recommended!

Guest

More than 1 year ago

The creative team of Bendis and Bagley is in my opinion the best writer/artist combo ever! In this volume Peter finds a box that belonged to his father on the project codenamed Venom. Peter also finds old home movies of his family and an old friends family. He soon meets up with Eddie Brock and Eddie shows Peter more of there fathers legacy...a beaker of black goo. In this volume you will see the Black Spider-Man, The birth of Venom, and the continuing conflict between Peter and Mary Jane. Will Peter live through the wrath of Venom? Can Peter save Eddie Brock from the hunger of the symbiote? Well you'll have to read to find out won't you!

SamuelB88

More than 1 year ago

Beautiful story, beautiful art, beautiful format. The story, character development, dialogue is all great. The story did get a little too dramatic for my tastes at one point, but still very excellent. The premiere format is beautiful, the slipcover art is decent, but the hardcover is gorgeous.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Another awesome book of USM

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

Guest

More than 1 year ago

This story recreates the making of Venom in a totally different way. Venom gets new powers Spiderman gets a headache what more do you want.

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